USA Shows Their Speed in Rock Hill

Kamren Larsen and Payton Ridenour climb the podium at the 2026 USA Cycling BMX Racing Elite National Championships.

As racers from across the globe converge on Rock Hill, SC, the race for the sleeve previews the weekend with domestic racers battling for the coveted USA Cycling National Championship. With six championship classes lining up on top of the Rock Hill BMX 8-meter hill, fans were lining the track’s perimeter to watch the fast laps.

Kicking off with the young guns of the big hill, the Junior Men and Women brought Pennsylvania’s Tommy Bruney and Arizona’s Derin Merten to the winner’s circle. Both riders, in their second year in the Junior ranks, claimed wire-to-wire wins, with Merten defending her title to earn her second USAC sleeve. 

The U23 racers had their time in Junior, but now it's all about developing their skills and finding their limits. Sean Day and Alexis Alden did exactly that with a pair of electric laps to make the most of their first season in the U23 ranks. Sean Day in U23 Men exited turn one in the lead with a hard charge from Deegan Brown behind him. With one turn to go, Deegan looked to make his move, but the two bumped, leaving Brown on the track and Day with some room to breathe as he turned the corner to his title. For Alexis Alden, it was wire to wire, and while Rita Fedewa was gaining ground, Double A executed throughout the track to take her first USAC sleeve.

And then there were two, Elite Men and Women brought heavy shoulders as Kamren Larsen and Payton Ridenour headed into the main as the favorites. Expected if they win and shocked if they don’t, the pair of Olympians rose to the occasion and crossed the line with a breath of relief. Both Larsen and Ridenour kept their jersey-day laps consistent, not dropping a lap from the start to the podium. These wins not only add another notch to their belt, but also confirm their place on the US roster as they are now multi-time National Champions, with a few more waiting for them in the future.

The fast laps aren’t done in Rock Hill. With the track warmed up and fans excited to see more, don’t miss any of the action from the USA BMX Carolina National live on FloBikes.